You can upload files to your Contabo server using different methods depending on your local and server operating systems. Below are the most common and recommended approaches.

Windows → Windows (via Remote Desktop)

Recommended method: Remote Desktop (RDP)

1. Connect to your server using Remote Desktop. (See guide here.)
2. Open This PC on the server.
3. Locate your local drives under Devices and drives.
4. Copy and paste files to transfer them to the server.

Linux → Windows

Options:

• Use Rdesktop (GUI-based remote desktop).
• Set up an FTP server (e.g. FileZilla Server) on the Windows server and connect via file manager or terminal.

Linux → Linux

Recommended method: SFTP

sftp <USERNAME>@<IP_ADDRESS>

If using a custom port:

sftp -P <PORT> <USERNAME>@<IP_ADDRESS>

Alternative: Use a file manager (e.g. GNOME Files) or an SFTP client like FileZilla.

Windows → Linux

Recommended method: SFTP client (e.g. FileZilla)

• Use SFTP (no FTP service is enabled by default).
• Follow FileZilla setup instructions here.

Important Notes

• There are no automatic backups - please back up your data manually.
• Use secure methods like SFTP whenever possible.

Video Tutorial

Watch the full guide below:

If the video doesn’t load, watch it directly on YouTube.